Okay, if everything happens for a reason and every trial is a lesson.....

[Guest guest]

What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching, or has taught us?

What if this is more about the caregiver's journey than the patient's

trip of diminishing returns.

What (non-Lewy related) are we learning, and how is it helping us as

people grow?

If we agree we were pretty much " chosen " for this assignment, what

are we learning, aside from the disease, that we should also be

sharing with each other.

I am thinking out loud, but that is when things often become more

clear for me.

So, the prompt might be....

What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me?

I know as a very independent person, I am learning to rely on this

site to express my fears and doubts and I am being ministered to in

countless ways.

I challenge you to take a few minutes away form the LO and think

about how LBD may be adding something, albeit, seemingly robbing us

of everything.

What in our lives needed to be a caregiver of such an unusual

patient circumstances.

Maybe we can all leave this without needing therapy.

What do we as caregiviers have in common?

We all seem to be self-reliant and strong people in our own right.

Let's see what happens if we write out loud.

Carol

[Guest guest]

<snip> What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me? <snip>

I've learned " Life is too short to be that serious " -- I was a

workaholic working for a company that took advantage and had me doing

much more than one person should have been doing. During the journey

with mom I realized that what I thought was important (tasks at work)

were in reality trivial. I quit that job and now working a regular

job w/ regular hours that allows me to do what I'm truly passionate

about 'charity work' -- allows me the time for this board, for doing

what I do at LBDA, and that charity holiday auction for children's

charities I do annually.

I learned to love my mom unconditionally and to be in awe over

the 'little things' (you all know what I'm talking about here)

Mom & I got closer in her last year on this Earth and I was surprised

that this was even a possibility since we were very close prior to

diagnosis.

I learned to be THERE for people when they need me. Life is short,

this is not a dress rehearsal, live life to the fullest, get married

in Greece! LOL

[Guest guest]

I've learned patience. I was always in a hurry, never stopping to smell the

roses. At home everything had a place and an order. I did what I wanted to do

when I wanted to do it. I had a million things to do. (It seemed)

I have learned to let things go and they will get done when I get to them. It

will still be there waiting for me.

I have learned that I can still live on a shoe string income without having

everything I want and work a part time job instead of full time to be with my

husband most of the time. I want to enjoy every minute I have with him while I

can.

I don't sweat over the petty things anymore, there are more important things

in life that need tending to. At the nursing home, I found there are people that

never have visitors and have been forgotten and I make sure to always talk with

them and be with them and share time with them. When they hear my voice down the

hall or they know my walking steps they start calling out for me to come in and

visit with them. Some have never seen the outside since they were put there and

on sunny days I will bring them out with Jim and me on the outside terrace and

put a little sunshine into their lives. I treat people as I would like to be

treated. " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you " has become a very

important act to me since my visits to the nursing home have opened my eyes.

These people have a lot to share and love the company if someone gives them the

time to listen. Even one of Jim's roommates that has Alzheimers, but in a late

stage. He no longer walks since no

one at the nh worked with him to keep his walking up. Staff didn't think he

could talk, because they are in too much of a hurry to stop and listen. This man

told me an entire story of his World War II days on Veteran's Day when I asked

him if he served in the military. I had all the time to sit and listen. It took

him time to get words out, but I have patiently learned to listen. I found out

he was a gunman in an airplane flying over Germany. He started to cry and told

me he was scared and I know he loves sports, so I turned the TV onto a sports

channel to distract him from all that he was telling me. I have befriended his

daughter and she and I have become very good friends and have girl night out

once a month and go to dinner and a movie. I told her about what her dad told me

and she said, yes that is right what her dad told me. She knows he can talk, but

no one wants to take the time to sit and listen and wait for him to get the

words out, which they don't take the

time to understand what he is saying.

My learning has been all about patience and taking the time to listen and

spend time with others. Being at the nh has brought me a whole new social life

and a good friend to spend the evening out with for girl time.

From day one when Jim was admitted into the nh I brought him around from room

to room and we introduced ourselves and it has been good for Jim, because the

women especially watch over him and tell me what goes on. It is funny to see,

because he has become friends with some of the men. They don't talk, but I see

them holding hands. It makes me laugh, because if my husband was in his right

mind, he would be freaking over this. It is so nice to see that he has made

friends and has contacts. It warms my heart to see and makes life a little more

bearable when you have friends around you.

Jim is home for the weekend and I hear him getting up now.

Thanks for bringing this up Carol. It is good to look into ourselves and see

what we have learned from the experience of caregiving and find that it is not

all grinds and bumps, but a little of good learning experiences put upon

us....Jan

adhd5464 wrote:

What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching, or has taught us?

What if this is more about the caregiver's journey than the patient's

trip of diminishing returns.

What (non-Lewy related) are we learning, and how is it helping us as

people grow?

If we agree we were pretty much " chosen " for this assignment, what

are we learning, aside from the disease, that we should also be

sharing with each other.

I am thinking out loud, but that is when things often become more

clear for me.

So, the prompt might be....

What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me?

I know as a very independent person, I am learning to rely on this

site to express my fears and doubts and I am being ministered to in

countless ways.

I challenge you to take a few minutes away form the LO and think

about how LBD may be adding something, albeit, seemingly robbing us

of everything.

What in our lives needed to be a caregiver of such an unusual

patient circumstances.

Maybe we can all leave this without needing therapy.

What do we as caregiviers have in common?

We all seem to be self-reliant and strong people in our own right.

Let's see what happens if we write out loud.

Carol

Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

[Guest guest]

, welcome back! You were missed here. I hope the charity auction went

well and

you can now recoup and get ready for Christmas!

>

> <snip> What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me? <snip>

>

> I've learned " Life is too short to be that serious " -- I was a

> workaholic working for a company that took advantage and had me doing

> much more than one person should have been doing. During the journey

> with mom I realized that what I thought was important (tasks at work)

> were in reality trivial. I quit that job and now working a regular

> job w/ regular hours that allows me to do what I'm truly passionate

> about 'charity work' -- allows me the time for this board, for doing

> what I do at LBDA, and that charity holiday auction for children's

> charities I do annually.

>

> I learned to love my mom unconditionally and to be in awe over

> the 'little things' (you all know what I'm talking about here)

>

> Mom & I got closer in her last year on this Earth and I was surprised

> that this was even a possibility since we were very close prior to

> diagnosis.

>

> I learned to be THERE for people when they need me. Life is short,

> this is not a dress rehearsal, live life to the fullest, get married

> in Greece! LOL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Caring for my Mother with LBD has made me confident and more patient. I have

found

inner strength that I didn't know was there. Like Jan I have taken the time to

visit with the

other residents at the nursing home. Most of them can't talk, but some can and I

have

enjoyed talking with them. The conversation doesn't always make sense, but that

doesn't

matter. I think some of them think I'm a family member. I believe that this

journey has

made my Mother's death easier to handle.

in Dallas

>

<snip>

>

> What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me?

>

<sip>

> Let's see what happens if we write out loud.

>

> Carol

>

[Guest guest]

What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching, or has taught us?

*************************************

I learned that I really can shave a man.

I learned how to bob and weave through traffic to get to my dad because he

needed me five minutes before I got there.

I learned I could sit up all night and still function the next day and that

I would do it again in a heart beat.

I learned that what ever my dad needed, when ever he needed it and however

it took to get it it was all doable for my dad.

I learned that although not everyone understood or agreed with my " reason " -

my " reason " was my dad and that was good enough for me.

I have learned that when anyone needs a little time, or a helping hand, I

have been given the gift of time to share with anyone who needs me.

I have also learned through caregiving that I have strength beyond this

earth, compassion larger than my heart, and friends all over the world.

What a privilege it was to be given such a precious gift called - Caregiving

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

(married to my sweetheart, , who was also a caregiver to his dear mum,

Jo)

[Guest guest]

thanks sandie.

i, for one, needed this today.

xo

anna

--- Sandie/ wrote:

>

>

> What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching,

> or has taught us?

>

> *************************************

>

> I learned that I really can shave a man.

>

> I learned how to bob and weave through traffic to

> get to my dad because he

> needed me five minutes before I got there.

>

> I learned I could sit up all night and still

> function the next day and that

> I would do it again in a heart beat.

>

> I learned that what ever my dad needed, when ever he

> needed it and however

> it took to get it it was all doable for my dad.

>

> I learned that although not everyone understood or

> agreed with my " reason " -

> my " reason " was my dad and that was good enough for

> me.

>

> I have learned that when anyone needs a little time,

> or a helping hand, I

> have been given the gift of time to share with

> anyone who needs me.

>

> I have also learned through caregiving that I have

> strength beyond this

> earth, compassion larger than my heart, and friends

> all over the world.

>

> What a privilege it was to be given such a precious

> gift called - Caregiving

>

>

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

> (married to my sweetheart, , who was also a

> caregiver to his dear mum, Jo)

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you

with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ

[Guest guest]

This thread is very uplifting. I'm learning not to take my loved ones for

granted and to be grateful for the fact that LBD fluctuates because,

occasionally, I get to visit with my " real Mom " and I don't let anyone or

anything interrupt those precious moments.

My other addition and most important one is

Romans 8:28

Gladys

-- Re: Okay, if everything happens for a reason and

every trial is a lesson.....

thanks sandie.

i, for one, needed this today.

xo

anna

--- Sandie/ wrote:

>

>

> What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching,

> or has taught us?

>

> *************************************

>

> I learned that I really can shave a man.

>

> I learned how to bob and weave through traffic to

> get to my dad because he

> needed me five minutes before I got there.

>

> I learned I could sit up all night and still

> function the next day and that

> I would do it again in a heart beat.

>

> I learned that what ever my dad needed, when ever he

> needed it and however

> it took to get it it was all doable for my dad.

>

> I learned that although not everyone understood or

> agreed with my " reason " -

> my " reason " was my dad and that was good enough for

> me.

>

> I have learned that when anyone needs a little time,

> or a helping hand, I

> have been given the gift of time to share with

> anyone who needs me.

>

> I have also learned through caregiving that I have

> strength beyond this

> earth, compassion larger than my heart, and friends

> all over the world.

>

> What a privilege it was to be given such a precious

> gift called - Caregiving

>

>

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

> (married to my sweetheart, , who was also a

> caregiver to his dear mum, Jo)

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

_____________________________________________________________________________

______

Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you

with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports

_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ

Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

[Guest guest]

I was watching " Evan Almighty " on PPV last night and it had a message along

these same lines as to how you use your calling and how God places you into

situations and what you get out of them. It was a cute modern day Noah's Ark

story. ARK being an acronym for Acts of Random Kindness.

Janet Colello wrote: I've learned patience. I was

always in a hurry, never stopping to smell the roses. At home everything had a

place and an order. I did what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. I had a

million things to do. (It seemed)

I have learned to let things go and they will get done when I get to them. It

will still be there waiting for me.

I have learned that I can still live on a shoe string income without having

everything I want and work a part time job instead of full time to be with my

husband most of the time. I want to enjoy every minute I have with him while I

can.

I don't sweat over the petty things anymore, there are more important things in

life that need tending to. At the nursing home, I found there are people that

never have visitors and have been forgotten and I make sure to always talk with

them and be with them and share time with them. When they hear my voice down the

hall or they know my walking steps they start calling out for me to come in and

visit with them. Some have never seen the outside since they were put there and

on sunny days I will bring them out with Jim and me on the outside terrace and

put a little sunshine into their lives. I treat people as I would like to be

treated. " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you " has become a very

important act to me since my visits to the nursing home have opened my eyes.

These people have a lot to share and love the company if someone gives them the

time to listen. Even one of Jim's roommates that has Alzheimers, but in a late

stage. He no longer walks since no

one at the nh worked with him to keep his walking up. Staff didn't think he

could talk, because they are in too much of a hurry to stop and listen. This man

told me an entire story of his World War II days on Veteran's Day when I asked

him if he served in the military. I had all the time to sit and listen. It took

him time to get words out, but I have patiently learned to listen. I found out

he was a gunman in an airplane flying over Germany. He started to cry and told

me he was scared and I know he loves sports, so I turned the TV onto a sports

channel to distract him from all that he was telling me. I have befriended his

daughter and she and I have become very good friends and have girl night out

once a month and go to dinner and a movie. I told her about what her dad told me

and she said, yes that is right what her dad told me. She knows he can talk, but

no one wants to take the time to sit and listen and wait for him to get the

words out, which they don't take the

time to understand what he is saying.

My learning has been all about patience and taking the time to listen and spend

time with others. Being at the nh has brought me a whole new social life and a

good friend to spend the evening out with for girl time.

From day one when Jim was admitted into the nh I brought him around from room to

room and we introduced ourselves and it has been good for Jim, because the women

especially watch over him and tell me what goes on. It is funny to see, because

he has become friends with some of the men. They don't talk, but I see them

holding hands. It makes me laugh, because if my husband was in his right mind,

he would be freaking over this. It is so nice to see that he has made friends

and has contacts. It warms my heart to see and makes life a little more bearable

when you have friends around you.

Jim is home for the weekend and I hear him getting up now.

Thanks for bringing this up Carol. It is good to look into ourselves and see

what we have learned from the experience of caregiving and find that it is not

all grinds and bumps, but a little of good learning experiences put upon

us....Jan

adhd5464 wrote:

What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching, or has taught us?

What if this is more about the caregiver's journey than the patient's

trip of diminishing returns.

What (non-Lewy related) are we learning, and how is it helping us as

people grow?

If we agree we were pretty much " chosen " for this assignment, what

are we learning, aside from the disease, that we should also be

sharing with each other.

I am thinking out loud, but that is when things often become more

clear for me.

So, the prompt might be....

What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me?

I know as a very independent person, I am learning to rely on this

site to express my fears and doubts and I am being ministered to in

countless ways.

I challenge you to take a few minutes away form the LO and think

about how LBD may be adding something, albeit, seemingly robbing us

of everything.

What in our lives needed to be a caregiver of such an unusual

patient circumstances.

Maybe we can all leave this without needing therapy.

What do we as caregiviers have in common?

We all seem to be self-reliant and strong people in our own right.

Let's see what happens if we write out loud.

Carol

Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

[Guest guest]

THESE ARE ALL SO BEAUTIFUL.

IVE LEARNED NOT TO EVER LET ONE SECOND SLIP BY WITHOUT EMBRACING IT.IVE

LEARNED TO FEEL EMOTIONS I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD FEEL.I LEARNED TO EXPRESS MY

TRUE FEELINGS AND NOT HIDE THEM AWAY, EVEN IF IT MAKES ME LOOK LIKE A SAP.IVE

LEARNED THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WITH HEARTS SO BIG AND POWERFUL THAT

THEY CANT BE STOPPED FROM TOUCHING MANY OTHER LIVES.IVE LEARNED TIME AND TIME

AGAIN WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOVE.AND I VE LEARNED WHEN LIFE GETS SO DARK AND

EVERYTHING YOU EVER HELD ONTO SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING, HOLD ON, WE WILL BE TAKEN

CARE OF NO MATTER WHAT.I LEARNED WHAT THE WORD APPRECIATION REALLY MEANS.AND

IVE LEARNED TO NEVER , EVER LET A MOMENT PASS WHEN SOMEONE DOESNT KNOW HOW I

FEEL BE IT GOOD OR BAD.I WILL WEAR MY HEART ON MY SLEEVE FOR THE REST OF MY

LIFE.AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THROUGH IT ALL IVE LEARNED THAT IM HERE FOR A REASON

AND I WILL NEVER QUESTION THAT.I FEEL ALL OF YOU IN MY HEART TONIGHT AND I HAVE

TO SAY IT FEELS PRETTY DAMN GOOD. RON

Gladys Stefany wrote:

This thread is very uplifting. I'm learning not to take my loved ones

for

granted and to be grateful for the fact that LBD fluctuates because,

occasionally, I get to visit with my " real Mom " and I don't let anyone or

anything interrupt those precious moments.

My other addition and most important one is

Romans 8:28

Gladys

-- Re: Okay, if everything happens for a reason and

every trial is a lesson.....

thanks sandie.

i, for one, needed this today.

xo

anna

--- Sandie/ wrote:

>

>

> What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching,

> or has taught us?

>

> *************************************

>

> I learned that I really can shave a man.

>

> I learned how to bob and weave through traffic to

> get to my dad because he

> needed me five minutes before I got there.

>

> I learned I could sit up all night and still

> function the next day and that

> I would do it again in a heart beat.

>

> I learned that what ever my dad needed, when ever he

> needed it and however

> it took to get it it was all doable for my dad.

>

> I learned that although not everyone understood or

> agreed with my " reason " -

> my " reason " was my dad and that was good enough for

> me.

>

> I have learned that when anyone needs a little time,

> or a helping hand, I

> have been given the gift of time to share with

> anyone who needs me.

>

> I have also learned through caregiving that I have

> strength beyond this

> earth, compassion larger than my heart, and friends

> all over the world.

>

> What a privilege it was to be given such a precious

> gift called - Caregiving

>

>

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

> (married to my sweetheart, , who was also a

> caregiver to his dear mum, Jo)

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________________

______

Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you

with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports

_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ

Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

[Guest guest]

I've learned that time doesn't matter when I'm caring for my Mom. Nothing

is important enough to leave for because nothing else matters. This all

has to do with having to have learned patience and to ACCEPT--and BE

THEREIn each moment. It's a gift to be able to feel her essence now with

every single smile.

Re: Okay, if everything happens for a reason

and every trial is a lesson.....

<snip> What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me? <snip>

I've learned " Life is too short to be that serious " -- I was a

workaholic working for a company that took advantage and had me doing

much more than one person should have been doing. During the journey

with mom I realized that what I thought was important (tasks at work)

were in reality trivial. I quit that job and now working a regular

job w/ regular hours that allows me to do what I'm truly passionate

about 'charity work' -- allows me the time for this board, for doing

what I do at LBDA, and that charity holiday auction for children's

charities I do annually.

I learned to love my mom unconditionally and to be in awe over

the 'little things' (you all know what I'm talking about here)

Mom & I got closer in her last year on this Earth and I was surprised

that this was even a possibility since we were very close prior to

diagnosis.

I learned to be THERE for people when they need me. Life is short,

this is not a dress rehearsal, live life to the fullest, get married

in Greece! LOL

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for sharing I REALLY NEEDED THAT TODAY. Sharing with this group and

reading the hundreds of tetimonys brings joy to my heart I pray that each and

everyone of us learn to Live Life.

Dimpsy

Re: Okay, if everything happens for a reason and every

trial is a lesson.....

<snip> What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me? <snip>

I've learned " Life is too short to be that serious " -- I was a

workaholic working for a company that took advantage and had me doing

much more than one person should have been doing. During the journey

with mom I realized that what I thought was important (tasks at work)

were in reality trivial. I quit that job and now working a regular

job w/ regular hours that allows me to do what I'm truly passionate

about 'charity work' -- allows me the time for this board, for doing

what I do at LBDA, and that charity holiday auction for children's

charities I do annually.

I learned to love my mom unconditionally and to be in awe over

the 'little things' (you all know what I'm talking about here)

Mom & I got closer in her last year on this Earth and I was surprised

that this was even a possibility since we were very close prior to

diagnosis.

I learned to be THERE for people when they need me. Life is short,

this is not a dress rehearsal, live life to the fullest, get married

in Greece! LOL

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.

http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

[Guest guest]

Wow.....thanks that says a whole lot, I've really being thinking about most of

these things since I found this site.

Dimpsy

Okay, if everything happens for a reason and every

trial is a lesson.....

What life lessons is Lewy Body caregiving teaching, or has taught us?

What if this is more about the caregiver's journey than the patient's

trip of diminishing returns.

What (non-Lewy related) are we learning, and how is it helping us as

people grow?

If we agree we were pretty much " chosen " for this assignment, what

are we learning, aside from the disease, that we should also be

sharing with each other.

I am thinking out loud, but that is when things often become more

clear for me.

So, the prompt might be....

What is caregiving for a LBD teaching me about me?

I know as a very independent person, I am learning to rely on this

site to express my fears and doubts and I am being ministered to in

countless ways.

I challenge you to take a few minutes away form the LO and think

about how LBD may be adding something, albeit, seemingly robbing us

of everything.

What in our lives needed to be a caregiver of such an unusual

patient circumstances.

Maybe we can all leave this without needing therapy.

What do we as caregiviers have in common?

We all seem to be self-reliant and strong people in our own right.

Let's see what happens if we write out loud.

Carol

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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